Beautiful, Brittany - that dissolving into God that St Theresa speaks about is what draws me, too.
Your reflections on the 'woo-woo-adjacent things' reminded me of an essay Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote about spiritism, where he concludes, "The whole world is an omen and a sign. Why look so wistfully in a corner? Man is the Image of God. Why run after a ghost or a dream?" God is
Such a beautiful post! I have struggled with the same feelings. Why focus so much time worrying about “me time” when the times I feel best are the times I’m serving others? I love you Britt! You are an outstanding mother and downright gift to this world. ❤️
Great post Brit. Glad things are going well with the family. I can't help but smile when I see the experience you had becoming Catholic while your tarot book was on the horizon, I remember my dire warning to you that Catholics would chew it up and spit it out. Everything is an idol, so perhaps insteaed of landing on that fact, just know it was tool that helped you get to where you are and now you don't need it anymore. Everything can be this, including scriptures. The #1 thing I can say in regards to mysticism is "be not afraid". Do not be afraid to become a mystic, it is actually the base call to religion for all peoples. Mysticism is when you see the grace of the Lord truly spill out and you will see with your own eyes, mind, and heart all things carry the presence of the Lord. It will make you more devout, but perhaps less Roman Catholic, albeit MORE catholic.
Thank you so much for this post. I feel I was guided by Diving Grace to this post. I was a professional Tarot reader for many years and was away from my Catholic Faith while I studied woo-woo things. Only by the Grace of God I was led back to my Catholic faith. A few days ago, I got tempted to go back to Tarot (again, I read them for divining). I talked to a friend who suggested your book The Contemplative Tarot. I instead found your substack. I really, really needed this post. I can't thank you enough. You really saved my faith through this post. I told my friend that when I do tarot I become obsessed and extremely self centered. This may not happen to everyone but it does to me. Yes, I can sit all night and decipher what the symbols mean to me but they can only lead your to your own mind and they aren't sanctifying. There is no grace. There is so much mysticism and true power and grace in the sacraments. I don't need anything else. It's like what you said, they are interesting but not sanctifying. Please keep writings these posts. I know you are busy but this is REAL mysticism. I would love to hear how you live a mystical Catholic life. I think people will be drawn to you for the Tarot but will hear about the true sacraments and the Truth.
But the knowledge that the less I center my own self in my life, the more peace and contentment I feel. That it is a relief to let go of my self and hold onto grace instead, to get out of my own way in order to love others more fully. - Beautiful
Brittany, your writing has helped draw me back to Catholicism after many years away, now as the mom of a one-year-old. I love your description of that well of supernatural patience and the spiritual rewards of motherhood. I do still savor solo hobbies and friend time, but time with my family feels suffused with love and grace in a way I didn’t expect and don’t need to escape. Thank you for all you share!
From your second footnote, I took turned back through Valentin Tomberg's Meditations on the Tarot (the German version of which can be seen in a photograph on JP2's desk) and which has an afterward by Card. Hans Urs von Balthasar. If Tomberg is right that the Tarot is a Christian story of the soul, confusion is not merited. Even if Robert M Place's hypothesis of the Tarot as a neo-platonic story of the soul is little different.
The following passage struck me this morning as relevant (lectio divino):
'Reading is the careful study of the Scriptures, concentrating all one's powers on it. Meditation is the busy application of the mind to seek with the help of one's own reason for knowledge of hidden truth. Prayer is the heart's devoted turning to God to drive away evil and obtain what is good. Contemplation is when the mind is in some sort lifted up to God and held above itself, so that it tastes the joys of everlasting sweetness." - Guigo, A Ladder of Monks and Twelve Meditations, p. 68
I’ve been engaged with Tomberg’s works, including Meditations on the Tarot and his Lord’s Prayer course, for almost two years now and it’s among the most spiritually edifying experiences of my life. Without it I probably never would have set foot in a Catholic church, but it’s also true that the Christian hermetic path will only appeal to a few.
It will be a while before I have access to the sacraments but I can attest that mysticism and an enduring, conscious experience of God’s love, is possible for all who seek it.
I'm in a Meditations on the Tarot study group with Karen Rivers (Sophia Foundation). One year into it so far. Tomberg made me pause seriously and think -- THIS is my kind of Catholic!
I’m curious about that study group! I got my copy of the Lord’s Prayer course through the Sophia Foundation, so I’m familiar with their work. I’ve also thought about reaching out to Karen Rivers as I live about an hour’s drive from her.
What I love about Tomberg is how much of a clear, deep, moral thinker he was. I hope you’ve had a chance to read some of his other works.
Definitely reach out. She usually has a couple groups going at once. You can drop my name. She'll likely want to have a one-on-one zoom call to get a feeling for you. But she doesn't charge for them
Beautiful, Brittany - that dissolving into God that St Theresa speaks about is what draws me, too.
Your reflections on the 'woo-woo-adjacent things' reminded me of an essay Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote about spiritism, where he concludes, "The whole world is an omen and a sign. Why look so wistfully in a corner? Man is the Image of God. Why run after a ghost or a dream?" God is
"The world is emblematic. Parts of speech are metaphors, because the whole of nature is a metaphor of the human mind."
Such a beautiful post! I have struggled with the same feelings. Why focus so much time worrying about “me time” when the times I feel best are the times I’m serving others? I love you Britt! You are an outstanding mother and downright gift to this world. ❤️
We are so much the same!😂
Great post Brit. Glad things are going well with the family. I can't help but smile when I see the experience you had becoming Catholic while your tarot book was on the horizon, I remember my dire warning to you that Catholics would chew it up and spit it out. Everything is an idol, so perhaps insteaed of landing on that fact, just know it was tool that helped you get to where you are and now you don't need it anymore. Everything can be this, including scriptures. The #1 thing I can say in regards to mysticism is "be not afraid". Do not be afraid to become a mystic, it is actually the base call to religion for all peoples. Mysticism is when you see the grace of the Lord truly spill out and you will see with your own eyes, mind, and heart all things carry the presence of the Lord. It will make you more devout, but perhaps less Roman Catholic, albeit MORE catholic.
Your warning wasn’t wrong! It really was chewed up and spit out, and I don’t think I was prepared for the vitriol of it.
“Be not afraid” is truly the best, most succinct advice.❤️Hope you and yours are doing well, Froilán!
Love your writing and thoughts Brittany- blessings!
What a wonderful blessing Brittany…. Thank you for sharing just what I needed to hear today, and always…xxx
Thank you so much for this post. I feel I was guided by Diving Grace to this post. I was a professional Tarot reader for many years and was away from my Catholic Faith while I studied woo-woo things. Only by the Grace of God I was led back to my Catholic faith. A few days ago, I got tempted to go back to Tarot (again, I read them for divining). I talked to a friend who suggested your book The Contemplative Tarot. I instead found your substack. I really, really needed this post. I can't thank you enough. You really saved my faith through this post. I told my friend that when I do tarot I become obsessed and extremely self centered. This may not happen to everyone but it does to me. Yes, I can sit all night and decipher what the symbols mean to me but they can only lead your to your own mind and they aren't sanctifying. There is no grace. There is so much mysticism and true power and grace in the sacraments. I don't need anything else. It's like what you said, they are interesting but not sanctifying. Please keep writings these posts. I know you are busy but this is REAL mysticism. I would love to hear how you live a mystical Catholic life. I think people will be drawn to you for the Tarot but will hear about the true sacraments and the Truth.
But the knowledge that the less I center my own self in my life, the more peace and contentment I feel. That it is a relief to let go of my self and hold onto grace instead, to get out of my own way in order to love others more fully. - Beautiful
Brittany, your writing has helped draw me back to Catholicism after many years away, now as the mom of a one-year-old. I love your description of that well of supernatural patience and the spiritual rewards of motherhood. I do still savor solo hobbies and friend time, but time with my family feels suffused with love and grace in a way I didn’t expect and don’t need to escape. Thank you for all you share!
From your second footnote, I took turned back through Valentin Tomberg's Meditations on the Tarot (the German version of which can be seen in a photograph on JP2's desk) and which has an afterward by Card. Hans Urs von Balthasar. If Tomberg is right that the Tarot is a Christian story of the soul, confusion is not merited. Even if Robert M Place's hypothesis of the Tarot as a neo-platonic story of the soul is little different.
The following passage struck me this morning as relevant (lectio divino):
'Reading is the careful study of the Scriptures, concentrating all one's powers on it. Meditation is the busy application of the mind to seek with the help of one's own reason for knowledge of hidden truth. Prayer is the heart's devoted turning to God to drive away evil and obtain what is good. Contemplation is when the mind is in some sort lifted up to God and held above itself, so that it tastes the joys of everlasting sweetness." - Guigo, A Ladder of Monks and Twelve Meditations, p. 68
I’ve been engaged with Tomberg’s works, including Meditations on the Tarot and his Lord’s Prayer course, for almost two years now and it’s among the most spiritually edifying experiences of my life. Without it I probably never would have set foot in a Catholic church, but it’s also true that the Christian hermetic path will only appeal to a few.
It will be a while before I have access to the sacraments but I can attest that mysticism and an enduring, conscious experience of God’s love, is possible for all who seek it.
I'm in a Meditations on the Tarot study group with Karen Rivers (Sophia Foundation). One year into it so far. Tomberg made me pause seriously and think -- THIS is my kind of Catholic!
I’m curious about that study group! I got my copy of the Lord’s Prayer course through the Sophia Foundation, so I’m familiar with their work. I’ve also thought about reaching out to Karen Rivers as I live about an hour’s drive from her.
What I love about Tomberg is how much of a clear, deep, moral thinker he was. I hope you’ve had a chance to read some of his other works.
Definitely reach out. She usually has a couple groups going at once. You can drop my name. She'll likely want to have a one-on-one zoom call to get a feeling for you. But she doesn't charge for them